WSOP 2011 – Main Event attracts third-largest field ever.

Monday, 11 July 2011

The numbers are in and the opening flights are done at The Rio. The World Series of Poker 42nd annual $10,000 No Limit Hold ‘em Championship Main Event is done and dusted for Days 1a through 1d with a total field of 6,865 shocking the poker community. The post-Black Friday field is the third largest in WSOP history, second only to 2010 and 2006.

With this, we have the prize pool numbers – 693 of the remaining 3,000-ish players (no official numbers available until later today) will be getting paid with the minimum cash starting out at $19,359. The big money, of course, is at the final table – the ninth place finisher of the November Nine will be the only one not to take home over a million dollars, though $782,115 should be fine consolation:

Leading the way out of Day 1d appears to be Mory Little and his stack of 179,450. Other survivors of the final opening flight included previous champions Huck Seed, Jamie Gold, Robert Varkonyi, Joe Hachem and Berry Johnston. Big names joining them? Just a few: Freddy Deeb, Phil Laak, Mike Sexton and Darvin Moon are returning for Day 2b on Wednesday before the fields combine the next day.

Tuesday is the deadline for all working Americans to have submitted their income tax returns to the federal government and Juicy Stakes and Intertops Poker are set to mark this annual occasion by holding a special freeroll competition featuring a $1,000 top prize.